His father was a merchant who at one time held the position of Register of the Land Office in the State of Franklin; 2 and his mother was one Clara Wisdom, who is described by her son Albert as a "wise and prudent" woman.

The early education of Lieutenant Lea was received in the common schools of Knoxville.

Later he entered college, and was within one session of graduation when he was com- pelled to give up his studies on account of poor health.

Within a year, however, he had regained his health and in 1827 received an appointment to the Military Academy at West Point.

3 Four years later, on July 1, 1831, Lieutenant Lea graduated from this institution (ranking fifth in a class of thirty- seven) and was assigned, after a short furlough, to the United States Army.